Conformable head or body coil assembly for magnetic imaging apparatus

Abstract

A pickup coil for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) includes a single thin metal copper sheet which is covered with cloth-like material with the interior of the two ends of the coil being covered with VELCRO-type connective material so that they adhere together. Thus, this provides a conforming fit to various specimens of varying diameters and configurations. The two ends of the coil are held by and inserted in a capacitive tuning unit which compensates for the resistive loading caused by the specimen and also for implementing the needed resonance condition.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A head or body coil assembly having a predetermined magnetic axis for picking up free induction decay or spin-echo signals from a test specimen produced in a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus comprising: inductive pickup coil means for substantially surrounding said test specimen including a thin, flexible, unitary, continuous band of conductive material substantially entirely covered with a flexible protective material, said band having a pair of ends with their facing interiors provided with mutually adhering surfaces which, when fastened together, provide a conforming fit of said band around specimens of varying diameter and configuration, said band being substantially cylindrical in configuration and having a central axis substantially coincident with said magnetic axis, said adhered ends forming an effective capacitor.   
     
     
       2. An assembly as in claim 1 including capacitive tuning means, located in close proximity to said coil means into which said ends are inserted and held to form a low resistance contact, for compensating for the resistive loading caused by said specimen. 
     
     
       3. An assembly as in claim 1 where said mutually adhering surfaces consist of hook and loop type connection means. 
     
     
       4. An assembly as in claim 1 where said protective material is cloth. 
     
     
       5. An assembly as in claim 1 including means for uniformly spacing said band from said specimen. 
     
     
       6. An assembly as in claim 1 where said adhered ends include clip means for insuring such adhering. 
     
     
       7. An assembly as in claim 1 where said band has a width along said central axis to minimize loading consistent with a desired imaging field of view.